How to Create a More Sustainable Kitchen
The Kutchenhaus Guide to Statement-Making Kitchen Designs
There are several strategies we’ve put in place to ensure we create our eco kitchens as sustainably as possible.
- Choosing the Right Raw Materials
The environmental footprint of a piece of furniture depends on what it is made of, which is why raw materials have long been a focus area for Kutchenhaus/nobilia - both in terms of their origin and recyclability.
Our kitchen units contain a high proportion of recycled material, and our wood waste is used for heating. We source our wood from sustainable forestry, and nobilia is certified to the PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes) standard, which guarantees that the wood we use originates from sustainably managed forests and controlled sources. For every tree felled, we plant a tree. We also use recycled plastic to manufacture certain parts of our furniture, including the plinth feet upon which our kitchens stand.
- Building An Efficient Supply Chain
Our philosophy is “think global, act local”, which contributes enormously to lowering CO2 emissions through reduced goods transportation. 80% of our suppliers are based in Germany, and 50% have operations within a 50 km radius of our Verl (western Germany) site. We sell around half of our finished kitchens in Germany, and another 30% in nearby European countries. As a company so deeply rooted in our home region, supply chains aren’t an issue for us.
- Sustainable Production
Sustainable raw materials and self-produced electricity are key to our sustainable approach to production. We’re also actively working to reduce our carbon footprint and self-generate clean electricity for our production needs through solar installations. We heat our buildings with wood waste during the cold months, and during the milder period, we use the waste heat from our air compressors as a source of heat. We practice energy recovery from storage and retrieval machines; we use (reusable) packaging only when required, and by using certified disposal companies, over 60% of our waste is recycled.
- Transport and Well-Optimised Logistics
We use a hybrid logistics model, transporting goods via both vehicle fleet and rail. We use extra long containers and, as transport by rail generates much lower CO2 emissions than the same trip by road, this form of transportation is considerably more sustainable. We’re also optimising our route planning to cut down on diesel usage.
- Product Usage
Sustainability is now a factor influencing consumer decisions, and our environmental credentials have become a key reason why customers are choosing Kutchenhaus. We’re proud that our products emit such small amounts of formaldehyde that they meet the toughest requirements and are certified to the highest standards, such as CARB2, F4Star and Blauer Engel (blue angel eco label). We ensure careful inspections, zero-emission components and high quality for a whole host of parts and accessories that make kitchens greener, more sustainable and more convenient. Our recycled Xtra Ceramic Worktops, Pull-out Gardening and Pantry boxes and plant light systems all contribute to greener product usage.
- Maximum Durability
The longer a product lasts, the less often it has to be replaced. This is an important aspect of sustainability, as resources are consumed every time a new purchase is made. We know from customer feedback that our kitchens are easy to care for and typically used for 15 years or more, and this is thanks to our intensive product testing and rigorous quality checks. In the unlikely event you’ll need to replace a part of your kitchen, the kitchen’s modular structure means that individual components can be easily replaced using standard tools. We also guarantee the availability of spare parts many years beyond what is required by law. When your kitchen does reach the end of its life, disposal is important. As only items made of a single material can be easily recycled, the modular and detachable design of our furniture helps. The main component of the furniture is the chipboard, which is 100% recyclable - meaning old furniture could be turned back into new, modern pieces. We’re working towards achieving this with our partners.
- Social Responsibility
Sustainability also encompasses social development goals. Training skilled workers about the complexities of furniture production encourages targeted action and minimises faults and waste. In this way, skilled workers are an integral part of a sustainable economy. We’ve also been working with sheltered workshops to enhance inclusive access to the labour market for people with disabilities, who can then feel valued for what they do.
